BETTER MEDICARE ALLIANCE STATEMENT ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROPOSED RULE ON OCTOBER 26, 2018

Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to a proposed rule released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) designed to modernize the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs:

“While we continue to examine the details, we are pleased that the Administration and CMS is continuing to advance progress detailed in the CHRONIC CARE Act legislation that was included in the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act. BMA has long been in support of the expansion of telehealth benefits for Medicare Advantage enrollees. In this proposal, CMS recognizes the ability of Medicare Advantage to meet the needs of increasingly tech savvy older Americans through the innovations available in telehealth.  

“BMA is also encouraged that changes we advocated for to the Star Ratings System in Medicare Advantage will be pursued to ensure accuracy and predictability in the measurement of quality of care.

“BMA looks forward to submitting feedback on the details of the proposal and will examine the proposed changes to Risk Adjustment Data Validation audits to ensure that the proposal will provide effective payment oversight but will not destabilize the program or disrupt the advancements made in care delivery.”